VZCZCXRO2940
RR RUEHAST
DE RUEHVI #1552/01 1511156
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 311156Z MAY 06
FM AMEMBASSY VIENNA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3653
RHEFHLC/DEPT OF HOMELAND SECURITY WASHDC
RUEAWJA/DOJ WASHDC
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 06 VIENNA 001552 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR CA, EUR/ERA, EUR/PGI AND EUR/AGS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL PGOV CVIS CPAS KCRM KFRD SMIG EUN AU
SUBJECT:  May 4 EU Ministerial on the Role of Internal 
Security in Relations between the EU and its neighbors 
 
VIENNA 00001552  001.2 OF 006 
 
 
THIS MESSAGE IS SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED. 
 
¶1.  (SBU) Summary.  Over 50 states and international 
organizations attended the May 4-5 Austrian Presidency 
sponsored Internal Security Ministerial, designed in part to 
implement the EU JHA External Strategy paper adopted in 
December 2005.  A U.S. delegation led by Attorney General 
Gonzales, who was accompanied by DHS Deputy Secretary 
Jackson participated as observers, as did a Russian 
delegation.  The EU Ministerial followed the first-ever 
informal meeting of the U.S., Russia and the EU to discuss 
possible tripartite cooperation in the field of Justice and 
Home Affairs. (see SEPTEL)  The meeting produced a Vienna 
Declaration on Security Partnership (see para 10) and the 
signing of a Police Cooperation Convention for SouthEast 
Europe meant to expand cooperation between the EU and police 
forces in Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Macedonia, Moldova, 
Montenegro, Romania and Serbia.  The Attorney General 
delivered a statement (sent via e-mail to JHA Washington 
addresses) which noted some differences of approach between 
the EU and U.S. to the global issues of terrorism and 
organized crime and corruption, but urged expanded 
international cooperative efforts to combat these problems. 
End Summary. 
 
¶2.  (SBU)  Austrian Interior Minister Prokop opened the 
discussion by noting that current threats such as terrorism 
and organized crime and corruption required an international 
response.  This was the basis of the JHA External Strategy 
paper adopted in December and the focal point of the EU 
Ministerial.  EU Commissioner Frattini outlined the 
Commission's efforts to link visa facilitation with 
readmission agreements and other methods to secure border 
security and combat illegal immigration while advancing 
security partnerships.  External Affairs Commissioner 
Feraldo-Waldner argued that by helping neighbors in accord 
with its European Neighbor Policy (ENP), the EU was helping 
itself.  She urged a particular focus on good governance and 
economic reform. 
 
--------------------------------------- 
Panel 1 - Asylum and Migration 
--------------------------------------- 
 
¶3.  (SBU)  The Slovenian Minister of the Interior chaired 
the first panel discussion on asylum and migration with 
Commissioner Frattini urging that the issue of immigration 
be treated as a whole with an emphasis on both border 
security and the root causes of migration in source 
countries.  In particular he urged that trafficking victims 
be protected.  Representatives from Russia, Turkey, the UK, 
Libya, Albania, Bosnia, Azerbaijan, Jordan, Greece, Syria, 
Morocco, Malta, the European Parliament (EP), Tunisia, IOM, 
OHR commented during the debate, mostly describing their own 
efforts to combat illegal immigration.  The Libya 
representative emphasized the need to deal with the root 
causes of migration, while the Jordanian stressed that both 
countries of origin and receiving countries must benefit 
from proposed solutions.  Malta suggested the establishment 
of a fund to assist those struggling with the problem and 
the representative of the EP called for the Commission to 
rethink its approach to the problem. 
 
¶4.  (U)  Conclusions from the debate were summarized by the 
Slovenian chair and are contained in the relevant section of 
the Vienna Declaration. 
 
--------------------------------------------- ------- 
Panel 2 - Organized Crime and Corruption 
--------------------------------------------- ------- 
 
¶5.  (SBU)  Russian Minister of the Interior Nurgaliev 
delivered his general statement calling for more 
international cooperation against organized crime and 
corruption that was increasingly becoming global and acting 
in the economic sphere.  He said Russia was committed to 
closer law enforcement cooperation with the EU and UK and 
described Russia's current cooperation with Finland on their 
joint border.  He invited countries to attend an anti- 
terrorist training exercise in Novosibersk in November and 
stated that Russia was also willing to provide border 
security training, especially to Central Asian states.  He 
described Russian cooperation with France, Spain and Israel 
with regard to money-laundering and urged greater 
international cooperation in the fight against TIP, noting 
that there were sometimes procedural problems prosecuting 
organizers in neighboring countries which might be resolved 
 
VIENNA 00001552  002.2 OF 006 
 
 
by improved and more efficient data exchange, utilizing 
EUROPOL and INTERPOL.  Concluding he urged greater 
harmonization of national legislation in this area and 
improved analysis and information exchange. 
 
¶6.  (SBU)  The Finnish Chairman cited the Baltic Sea Task 
Force and the Prune Treaty as two excellent examples of 
international cooperation against organized crime and urged 
greater use of public/private partnerships to combat crime 
and terrorism.  Commissioner Frattini agreed on the need to 
strengthen analysis and to use a common statistical database 
in the fight against crime.  He described EU efforts to 
harmonize national legislation and to implement the TIP EU 
action plan.  UNODC chief urged the EU to export security 
and focus on a prevention strategy.    The Norwegian 
representative cited the need for a) transparency; 2) 
relevant laws and enforcement; and 3) the protection of 
investigators in the fight against corruption. 
 
¶7.  (SBU)  Turkey, Georgia, Germany, the UK, Albania, the 
EP, Montenegro, the Netherlands, Macedonia, Bosnia, Lebanon, 
Libya, Greece, Poland, France, Jordan, and the Council of 
Europe also spoke on this subject, primarily to describe the 
actions they have taken against organized crime and 
corruption.  Georgia discussed the phenomenon of "criminals- 
in-law" and warned that the influence of the Russian mafia 
was spreading.  Germany singled out the problem of Afghan 
drug trafficking.  Albania noted that is was attempting to 
deal with this "inherited problem."  The EP stressed that 
TIP was increasing and urged that authorities deal with the 
"demand problem."  The Netherlands urged that we use the 
instruments we have now more effectively and stressed the 
important of intelligence assessments.  Lebanese 
representative noted the effects of political and cross- 
border terrorism, as well as assassination. 
 
¶8.  (U)  The Finnish Chairman summarized the conclusions and 
asked that they be included in the Vienna Declaration. 
 
------------------ 
U.S. Statement 
------------------ 
 
¶9.  (U)  Attorney General Gonzales delivered the U.S. 
statement (e-mailed to JHA addresses) in which he contrasted 
the differences of approach between the EU and U.S. in their 
respective fight against terrorism, but noted the our common 
objectives were very similar.  He urged even greater 
international cooperation in the future. 
 
-------------------------------------- 
Panel 3 - Combating Terrorism 
-------------------------------------- 
 
¶10. (SBU)  The Portuguese Chairman introduced EU 
Commissioner Frattini who described the EU's counter- 
terrorist strategy in terms of  a) prevent; b) protect; c) 
pursue; and d) respond, indicating the need to explore the 
real roots of radicalization and recruitment, protect 
critical infrastructure and make full use of EUROJUST and 
EUROPOL.  He again stressed victim protection as an 
important element of the strategy. 
 
¶11.  (SBU)  The Ukraine, Lebanon, Azerbaijan, Bosnia, the 
EP, Syria, Turkey, France, Russia, Serbia, Egypt, Albania, 
Luxembourg, Israel,  the Netherlands, Armenia, Hungary, 
Council of Europe, Libya, and the UK spoke on this issue. 
Lebanon urged that the huge injustices which fueled 
radicalization, especially those against the Palestinians, 
must be addressed.  Syria said that it had suffered greatly 
from terrorism and urged that a distinction be made between 
"terrorists and freedom fighters."  Turkey described its new 
anti-terrorist legislation, particularly those related to 
victim compensation.  France singled out police cooperation 
as being particularly in the fight against terrorism. 
Russia emphasized the need to prevent terrorists from 
obtaining non-conventional weapons and WMD.  With regard to 
Chechnya, he said that political and social institutions 
were being developed, but there was still resistance, some 
of its stemming from foreign ideologies,  Serbia said that 
so-called freedom fighters on its borders were actually 
terrorists and asserted that Al-Qaeda cells were being 
developed in the region. 
 
¶12.  (SBU)  Noting that EU members had not spoken much in 
the debate, Luxembourg Minister Frieden said that EU Counter- 
terrorist policy was based on the need for efficient and 
 
VIENNA 00001552  003.2 OF 006 
 
 
effective international cooperation with states which 
observed the rule of law and an independent judiciary; he 
urged a better definition of who our enemies are, strengthen 
EU institutions, and an internal debate on how to handle 
those suspected of terrorist activities.  Israel said it was 
glad to be speaking among its Euromed partners, which was 
where it belonged and said that Israel supported dialogue 
and did not link terrorism to any particular religion.  He 
supported the aims of the meeting, but said that it was 
important to combine words with deeds, noting that one EU 
member state apparently was granting a visa to Hamas.  The 
Council of Europe representative outlined the various anti- 
terrorist conventions and urged that they be signed and 
ratified.  Libya stated its concern that the previous 
situation in Afghanistan where terrorists left that country 
to export terrorism elsewhere was repeating itself.  He 
urged that terrorists not be given a pretext such as foreign 
occupation for their actions. 
 
¶13.  (U) The Portuguese chair than summarized the debate and 
asked that it be included in the Vienna Declaration. 
Representatives of future Council Presidencies then outlined 
their priorities in the field of JHA with Finland stating 
that it intended to increase the visibility of JHA issues 
during its Presidency, particularly those related to a 
common asylum system, external relations and border 
security, expanded use of the availability principle and 
data exchanges and Schengen assessments, particularly those 
for the Baltics.  The German representative said that 
Germany would stress continuity, but focus on "security for 
citizens."  Portugal said it wished to eradicate internal 
border controls vis--vis the new member states and 
reinforce EU-Africa JHA cooperation, especially in sub- 
Sahara Africa.  Slovenia, as the first of the new member 
states to assume the Presidency (in January 2008) said it 
also planned to focus on the Western Balkans and continued 
EU-U.S.-Russian cooperation. 
 
----------------------------- 
The Vienna Declaration 
----------------------------- 
 
¶14.  (U)   There follows the text of the Vienna Declaration: 
 
        "Vienna Declaration on Security Partnership" 
A Ministerial Conference on the "Role of Internal Security 
in Relations between the EU and its Neighbours" was held on 
4-5 May 2006 in Vienna, Austria. 
 
At the initiative of Austria as the current Presidency of 
the EU Council, Member States of the European Union and its 
neighbouring countries met to discuss issues of common 
interest in relation to internal security. 
 
The Neighbouring Arab Countries participated in the 
Conference. They emphasized that security is an issue of 
common interest. They expressed the importance of 
partnership for security with the EU in accordance with 
their respective objectives and priorities. They also 
underlined the need for further consultations on the 
modalities for such partnership. 
 
The Russian Federation and the United States of America, as 
strategic partners of the European Union, participated in 
the Conference as observers. 
 
The Conference expressed the common wish to develop a 
"Partnership for Security" in order to work towards an 
enhanced area of Freedom, Security and Justice. 
 
 
                           Part I 
 
              General principles / Key elements 
 
In order to meet the expectations of our citizens we must 
respond to the security threats of terrorism, organised 
crime, corruption and drugs and to the challenge of managing 
migration flows. In an increasingly interconnected world, 
cooperation in the field of justice and home affairs will 
become ever more important. 
 
The Austrian EU Presidency therefore took the opportunity to 
bring together the EU, its Member States and neighbouring 
countries, as well as the Russian Federation and the United 
States of America as observers. This dialogue is a step in 
implementing the Strategy for the External Dimension of 
 
VIENNA 00001552  004.2 OF 006 
 
 
freedom, security and justice recently adopted by the 
European Union, together with the action-oriented papers on 
the Western Balkans and relevant ENP countries as well as on 
Afghanistan. 
 
This process culminated in the present Vienna Ministerial 
Conference on 4-5 May 2006, with Ministers and 
representatives from more than 50 countries and 
international organisations, as the expression of the 
increasing role of internal security in external relations. 
 
The development of an area of enhanced freedom, security and 
justice can only be successfully achieved through 
relationships based on mutual partnership between the 
European Union and its partners. To address the common 
security challenges in the 21st century, the participants in 
the Conference expressed their common wish to develop a 
"Partnership for Security", based on mutual trust and common 
interest. Such a partnership between interested countries 
will be future and action oriented, and based on the 
following key principles: 
      Definition of concrete areas of common interest in the 
     fields of combating terrorism, organised crime, corruption 
     as well as in the field of management of migration flows. 
    Coordinated engagement, mutual understanding and 
cooperation in order to tackle common problems and meet 
shared policy objectives in the field of justice and home 
affairs. 
    Efforts to make justice and home affairs a shared 
priority in external relations, including through a 
coordinated engagement in the work of relevant international 
organistions (United Nations, Council of Europe, OSCE).    Work towards action 
oriented solutions, especilly on 
terrorism, organised crime, corruption an illegal 
immigration. 
    Applying a differentiated and flexible approach, 
ach, 
including a muti-discipinary assessment of needs. 
    Promotig rule of law, democracy, fundamental rights 
andgood governance seen also as a means of bolstering 
security. 
    Mobilisation of political, financal and operational 
resources to work towards comon objectives. 
 
Internal and external security ae closely related. 
Therefore priorities for future engagement should be formed 
by both, the partners' internal and external policy 
objectives. 
The Conference especially emphasizes that the 
      European Neighbourhood Policy offers a coherent 
     framework for cooperation on security-related matters with 
     the EU. 
    prospect of closer cooperation with the EU is an 
effective way to align with common international standards 
in justice and home affairs. 
 
In an increasingly global economy, effective co-operation on 
justice and home affairs issues also supports the Partners' 
economic and trade objectives, by providing a political and 
and 
legal environment conducive to economic development and the 
development of international commercial links. 
 
 
                           Part II 
 
The Conference focused on three priority areas: combating 
terrorism, organised crime and corruption and 
migration/asylum. Along the lines of the principles 
identified above, concrete measures and actions have been 
identified and agreed. They are briefly spelled out under 
each chapter hereinafter. 
 
 
                     Combating terrorism 
 
Recent terrorist atrocities underline the fact that it is no 
longer useful strictly to distinguish between internal and 
external security, and that terrorism is increasingly trans- 
national in nature. As a consequence, international co- 
operation to prevent and fight terrorism should be a 
fundamental element of external relations. 
 
The Conference has identified the following measures to be 
implemented within the field of combating terrorism: 
 
      Common efforts to prevent terrorism by measures against 
 
VIENNA 00001552  005.2 OF 006 
 
 
     radicalisation and recruitment, especially considering the 
     need to develop further the dialogue between cultures and 
     religions. 
    Improving the exchange of information with all 
countries to identify terrorists, disrupt their activities 
and to bring them to justice. 
    Joint efforts for a comprehensive convention against 
terrorism within the UN as well as the implementation of the 
existing UN Conventions against Terrorism. 
    Cooperation in the field of critical infrastructure 
protection. 
 
 
               Organised crime and corruption 
 
Organised and serious crime increasingly acts across 
borders. This results in a terrible cost for individuals. 
The Conference has identified the following measures to be 
implemented within the field of organised crime and 
corruption: 
 
      Need for increased and targeted training of national 
     law enforcement officers, prosecutors and judges. 
    Capacity building assistance to third countries. 
ies. 
    Need for harmonisation of measures to protect victims, 
in particular trafficked women and children, in accordance 
with the applicable EU, Council of Europe and UN 
instruments. 
    Development of efficient and fast practical cooperation 
in fighting trafficking in human beings, smuggling of drugs 
as well as small arms. 
    Use the expertise and capacities of relevant bodies 
like Europol and Eurojust. 
 
 
                     Migration / Asylum 
 
The Conference recognises that global migration, including 
the problem of illegal immigration, presents particular 
challenges. Managed effectively migration can have a 
substantial positive impact both for host and source 
countries and for migrants. However, it is essential to 
tackle the problem of illegal immigration and to prevent and 
fight the trafficking in human beings, while at the same 
time to protect the human rights of migrants. 
 
The Conference has identified the following measures to be 
implemented within the field of migration and asylum: 
 
: 
 
      Establishment of closer cooperation on migration issues 
     with countries and regions of origin, transit and 
     destination, including cooperation in asylum management, 
     based on international standards, good practices and common 
     procedures. 
    Intensification of cooperation on capacity building 
with the countries concerned to develop national legal 
procedures and guaranties corresponding to international 
law. 
    A clear commitment to increase mutual cooperation, to 
improve security standards of travel documents and to 
introduce biometrics in travel documents. 
    Support to the establishment of functional border 
control systems and to the joint approach in training of 
police, frontier guards and customs. 
    Use of the expertise and capacities of existing 
relevant bodies. 
    Conclusion and implementation of mutual Readmission 
Agreements. 
    Deepening of dialogue and intensification of the 
partnership between the EU and key source countries and 
es and 
regions, in particular with African countries, countries in 
the eastern neighbourhood of the EU and regional 
organisations. 
    Promotion of public awareness in countries of origin, 
transit and destination on opportunities and limitations as 
well as rights and obligations concerning migration. 
 
 
                          Part III 
 
Austria as the current Presidency of the Council of the 
European Union will report on the results of the Ministerial 
Conference, held on 4-5 May 2006 in Vienna, to the Council 
 
VIENNA 00001552  006.2 OF 006 
 
 
of Justice and Home Affairs Ministers of the EU as well as 
to the European Council in June 2006. 
 
The agreed Partnership for Security should especially be 
implemented through initiatives based on a differentiated 
and flexible approach to individual countries and regions, 
including a multi-disciplinary assessment of need. 
MCCAW